Criminal Record Check Guidance for Candidates - Disclosure and Barring Service

Guidance for Candidates regarding basic criminal record checks via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

Candidates will be required to submit specific documents for a basic criminal record check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS Check). Please see details below for confirmation of the two or three documents required depending on the relevant ‘routes’:

  • Route 1
    • For all applicants except non-EEA national applicants needing a DBS check for paid work in the UK
      • One document from Group 1, and;
      • One further document from Group 1 or Group 2a or 2b
  • Route 1a
    • For non-EEA national applicants needing a DBS check for paid work in the UK
      • One document from Group 1a, and;
      • One further document from either Group 1, Group 2a or 2b, below
  • Route 2
    • For all applicants except non-EEA national applicants needing a DBS check for paid work in the UK
      • One document from Group 2a, and;
      • Two further documents from either Group 2a or 2b

Please note: only valid documentation will be accepted

Group 1:

Primary identity documents:

  • Passport (any current and valid passport)
  • Current biometric residence permit (UK)
  • Current driving licence photocard – full or provisional (UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and EEA)
  • Adoption certificate (UK and Channel Islands)

For candidates applying for roles in England, Wales, Channel Islands and Isle of Man only

  • Birth certificate, issued within 12 months of birth (UK, isle of Man and Channel Islands – including
  • Those issued by UK authorities overseas, e.g. embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces) For candidates applying for roles in Northern Ireland only
  • Birth certificate, issued at the time of birth (UK, isle of Man and Channel Islands – including those issued by UK authorities overseas, e.g. embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces)
  • Long form Irish birth certificate issued at time of registration of birth (Ireland)

Group 1a:

Primary identity documents for Non-EEA nationals doing paid work

  • A Permanent Residence Card issued by the Home Office to the family member of a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland.
  • A current Biometric Immigration Document (Biometric Residence Permit) issued by the Home Office to the holder indicating that the person named is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, or has no time limit on their stay in the UK.
  • A current passport endorsed to show that the holder is exempt from immigration control, is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, has the right of abode in the UK, or has no time limit on their stay in the UK.
  • A current Immigration Status Document issued by the Home Office to the holder with an endorsement indicating that the named person is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK or has no time limit on their stay in the UK, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.
  • A current passport endorsed to show that the holder is allowed to stay in the UK and is currently allowed to do the type of work in question.
  • A current Biometric Immigration Document (Biometric Residence Permit) issued by the Home Office to the holder which indicates that the named person can currently stay in the UK and is allowed to do the work in question.
  • A current Residence Card (including an Accession Residence Card or a Derivative Residence Card)issued by the Home Office to a non-European Economic Area national who is a family member of a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland or who has a derivative right of residence.
  • A current Immigration Status Document containing a photograph issued by the Home Office to the holder with a valid endorsement indicating that the named person may stay in the UK, and is allowed to do the type of work in question, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.
  • A Certificate of Application issued by the Home Office under regulation 17(3) or 18A (2) of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006, to a family member of a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland stating that the holder is permitted to take employment which is less than 6 months old together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
  • An Application Registration Card issued by the Home Office stating that the holder is permitted to take the employment in question, together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
  • A Positive Verification Notice issued by the Home Office Employer Checking Service to the employer or prospective employer, which indicates that the named person may stay in the UK and is permitted to do the work in question.

Group 2a:

Trusted government documents

  • Current valid driving licence photo-card – full or provisional (all countries outside the EEA, excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands)
  • Current valid driving licence (paper version, if issued before 1998) – full or provisional (UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and EEA)
  • Birth certificate, issued after time of birth (UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands)
  • Marriage/civil partnership certificate (UK and Channel Island)
  • HM Forces ID card (UK)
  • Firearms licence (UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
  • Immigration document, visa or work permit (issued by a country outside the EEA – valid only if the applicant is working in the country that issued the document)

For candidates applying for roles in Northern Ireland only

  • Birth certificate, issued after time of birth (Ireland)
  • Marriage/civil partnership certificate (Ireland)
  • Electoral ID Card 9Northern Ireland only)

Group 2b:

Financial/living and social history documents

  • Mortgage statement (UK or EEA) – Issued in the last 12 months
  • Financial statement, e.g. ISA, pension or endowment (UK) – Issued in the last 12 months
  • P45 or P60 statement (UK and Channel Islands) – Issued in the last 12 months
  • Council Tax statement (UK and Channel Islands) – Issued in the last 12 months
  • Bank or building society statement (UK and Channel Islands or EEA) – Issued in the last 3 months
  • Bank or building society account opening confirmation letter (UK) – Issued in the last 3 months
  • Credit card statement (UK or EEA) – Issued in the last 3 months
  • Utility bill – not mobile telephone bill (UK) – Issued in the last 3 months
  • Benefit statement, e.g. Child Benefit, Pension – UK – Issued in the last 3 months
  • Central or local government, government agency, or local council document giving entitlement, e.g. from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, HMRC (UK and Channel Islands) – Issued in the last 3 months
  • Letter of sponsorship from future employment provider (Non-UK or non-EEA only – valid only for applicants residing outside of the UK at time of application) – Must still be valid
  • EEA National ID card – Must still be valid
  • Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo (UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands) – Must still be valid
  • Letter from head teacher or college principal (UK – for 16 to 19 year olds in full time education – only used in exceptional circumstances if other documents cannot be provided) – Must still be valid

For candidates applying for roles in England, wales, Channel Islands, and Isle or Man only

  • Irish passport card (cannot be used in conjunction with Irish passport) – Must still be valid

For candidates applying for roles in Northern Ireland only

  • Land and Property Service rates demand (Northern Ireland only) – Issued within the last 12 months
  • Bank or building society statement (countries outside of EEA – branch must be in the country where the applicant lives and works) – Issued in the last 3 months
  • 60+ or Senior (65+) Smart Pass issued by Translink (Northern Ireland) – Must be valid
  • yLink card issued by Translink (Northern Ireland) – Must be valid
  • Letter of sponsorship from voluntary organisation (Non-UK or non-EEA only for applicants residing outside of the UK at time of application) – Must still be valid

If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact us via our candidate enquiry form.